>>Could someone please explain to me why some people that run shelters
>>also breed ferrets?
>From:    zen and the art of ferrets - bill and diane
>Could you explain why they shouldn't?
 
I'd like to tackle this one....just my opinion, of course.  When the time
comes that no one in my area of the state/country wants to get rid of their
ferret and all of the ferrets at my shelter have found their own home....
then and only then....would I consider breeding.  Well, ok, I wouldn't
consider it for long, because I think trying to create a designer animal
(specific color, pattern, etc.) is not what the ferret gods had in mind for
these playful little guys.  But at that point in time (no more ferrets being
abused and/or needing homes), I could change the name of my shelter to the
Best Little Rabbit, Rodent, Hedgehog, Prairie Dog and Sugar Glyder House and
I could get out of the ferret rescue business.  I'd then refer people to the
local ferret breeders for their companion ferrets and I could concentrate on
helping people learn about their ferrets, their needs and their normal
behaviors.
 
>Breeders tend to know more about ferrets that about anyone else.
 
Whoa, do I read a hint of egotistical bravado in that sentence?  Even if
not, I don't believe this is true.  Breeders know all about colors and who
to breed to whom to attempt to create a lovely color and pattern and the
"better ferret".  People who are primarily concerned that all ferret needs
love, attention, good diet and exercise tend to be much more expert in
behavior, food and play items than breeders.  It's simply a matter of which
is of primary interest to breeders or to rescuers.  (I find it difficult to
comprehend how shelters who breed are able to switch hats so casually.)
 
>Well its not an over-population problem.  Its a distribution problem.
 
It seems to me that as long as animal control agencies continue to euthanize
ferrets if they stay for too many days, that indicates to me that the
ferrets are overpopulated, at least within those agencies.  You're probably
right that it is a distribution problem.  There are several stores in my
area of the country who are distributing ferrets as fast as their credit
card machines will allow.  These stores don't even hesitate long enough to
let the people know that ferrets poop, pee and eat.
 
>shelter/breeder folk have ideas on what might be wrong with ferrets and
>have ideas on fixing it (such as trying German ferrets for breeding).
 
I'm not a terribly religious person, but I always thought it was some idea
of a God who created life and who modified creatures over the years so that
they would adapt better to their environment.  Perhaps that's what I object
to, that breeders are playing at being God.
 
Sandi
Best Little Rabbit, Rodent & Ferret House
Seattle, WA 98125
(3 adrenal surgeries in the last 3 weeks - 1 year old ferret, 1 two year
old ferret and a four year old)
[Posted in FML issue 2312]